Bulbine
bulbosa is also known as the
Bulbine Lily. It is an herbaceous native (a plant without woody stem) and
grows in native grassland and eucalypt woodland in many parts of Australia.
The Bulbine Lily flowers in spring and produces a spike that carries up to a
dozen bright yellow flowers. The spikes are usually 30 cm (12 inches) tall.
Bulbine Lilies are dependant on the weather. Reasonable rain in autumn and
winter triggers a floral extravaganza in spring. Last year we had literally
thousands of Bulbine Lilies flowering at Yallaroo. The flowers formed carpets
of gold throughout our grassland and woodland. This year flowers are few and
far between because of low rainfall in the cooler months. Propagation is easy
from seed. Mass plantings of Bulbine bulbosa would make a stunning
addition to rockeries and native cottage gardens. We have found that
cultivated plants have a much longer flowering period than plants in the wild.
They could be cultivated as a native substitute for exotic daffodils.